JebBush offered an aggressive defense Thursday night of his positions on immigration and education, suggesting that he is willing to lock horns with his conservative critics as he lays out a rationale for his presidential campaign.

Former Florida Gov. JebBush, still in the preliminary phase of an expected White House bid, plans to reward his biggest early financial backers with a mid-April meeting in Miami with his likely campaign team.

As JebBush wins support from donors who favor moderate positions on social issues such as gay marriage, the potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate is also getting pushed on the environment and climate change.

Potential presidential candidate JebBush described the GOP as principled in its opposition to President Obama's agenda, but that the party needs to take a more positive approach to the future. Photo: AP